TheNewsGuru

Tag: Nigerian Navy

  • Lagos youths, Nigerian Navy clash, engage in gun battle as residents flee for safety

    Lagos youths, Nigerian Navy clash, engage in gun battle as residents flee for safety

    Some operatives of the Nigerian Navy on Thursday morning clashed with the youths of Farasime Village, located at the Owode Apa border in Badagry West, Badagry Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the violence started after officers of the Navy force arrived the community in an operation aimed at arresting smugglers transporting Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to Cotonou through the Owode Apa border.

    A source in the community who spoke to SaharaReporters, disclosed how the youths resisted the naval officers’ attempt to make arrests, which led the security personnel to open fire, resulting in an ongoing gun battle.

    The source said, “Right now, I’m not sure of my safety. It is Farasimè village Badagry West, Lagos state in Owode Apa border.

    “It is that the Navy that came to arrest people who are smuggling fuel through there to Cotonou and youths are resisting, so the Navy officers are shooting.

    “Please, somebody help us. My house is by the roadside.

    “I’m not involved in smuggling. I don’t do that kind of business. Youths have put a big fire in front of my house to block the road. I’m very scared.”

  • Navy takes delivery of 3 Augusta helicopters to boost operations

    Navy takes delivery of 3 Augusta helicopters to boost operations

    The Nigerian Navy has taken delivery of three newly acquired Agusta Westland 109 Trekker Helicopters from the Ministry of Defence.

    This is contained in a statement by the Director, Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Adams-Aliu stated that the three helicopters were handed over in a brief ceremony on Tuesday at the Caverton Helicopters Limited (CHL) hangar facilities in Ikeja, Lagos.

    He said the AW 109 Helicopters have all purpose-built VIP configuration, with full leather and noise attenuation system.

    According to him, the helicopters are designed with landing skid, giving them better loading capacity compared to wheeled helicopters.

    “Additionally, the helicopters are designed with auxiliary tanks to ensure extended endurance of up to 3 hrs 40 mins.

    “Thus, the helicopter could be used for long range transport flights. The helicopters could also be retrofitted with purpose-built mission equipment.”

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, who received the newly acquired helicopters, thanked President Bola Tinubu,

    “for his unflinching support to the Armed Forces in general and the Nigerian Navy in particular.”

    Ogalla also expressed gratitude to both the Minister of Defence and State for Defence for facilitating the acquisition of the helicopters to boost navy’s operations.

    Also present at the hand-over ceremony were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana, and other officials.

  • Nigerian Navy launches offshore patrol vessel to boost maritime security

    Nigerian Navy launches offshore patrol vessel to boost maritime security

    The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has launched the second 76meter High Endurance (HE) Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) built for the Nigerian Navy (NN) in DEARSAN Shipyard Turkey, today Friday 19 April 2024.

    The first OPV built by DEARSAN Shipyard was launched on 26 October 2023.

    The launch was graced by the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Charge D’Affair Nigerian Embassy Turkey, Ambassador Zayyad Habu Abdulsalam and other dignitaries. In a statement signed by A ADAMS-ALIU Director of Information Commodore  Director of Information

    said the launch of the 76meter HE – OPV marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding her territorial waters and combating maritime threats.

    Speaking at the event, V Adm EI Ogalla noted that the construction of the 2 x OPVs commenced in 2022.

    According to him, “DEARSAN Shipyard is constructing 2 OPVs for the NN and the first OPV was launched here on 26 October 2023.

    I am particularly pleased that the milestones on the vessel construction have been met and I hereby appreciate the management of DEARSAN Shipyard for their efforts so far”. The general specifications of the newly launched OPV are as follows:

    1. Length – 76.90m
    2. Width – 11.90m
    3. Draught – 3.60m
    4. Speed – 28knots
    5. Propulsion System – Combined Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)
    6. Range – 2500nm
    7. Endurance – 16 days
    8. Crew Capacity – 47.

    The construction of the vessel will boost NN fleet renewal efforts for fulfilment of her constitutional mandate and ensure maximum presence at sea to curb illicit acts such as oil theft, piracy, sea robbery, illegal fishery as well as smuggling of Small Arms and Light Weapons among other crimes in the vast 84,000sqnm of Nigeria’s maritime environment.

    It will also facilitate harnessing the enormous potentials within Nigeria’s maritime domain in support of FG’s Blue Economy initiatives. The CNS expressed sincere gratitude to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his support towards ensuring the completion of the construction of the OPVs and his commitment to NN fleet renewal aspirations.

    He also extended his appreciation to the Special Guest of Honour the First Lady of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu for accepting the invitation to perform the age long naval tradition of launching a ship into water for the first time, a role often reserved for female leaders.

     

     

     

  • oil theft: Nigerian Navy hand over 15 suspects for investigation

    oil theft: Nigerian Navy hand over 15 suspects for investigation

    About 15 suspects and a Merchant Fishing Vessel (MFV), Lily IV, have been handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Fishery, Edo State for investigation by the  Nigerian Navy Ship, (NNS), in Delta state

    The suspects were arrested on March 11, 2024 in Forcados, Burutu local government area of Delta State.

    The suspects comprises of 14 Nigerians, one Ghanaian while the vessel were handed over to the representative of the Fishery Department, Mr Iwanegbe America on Wednesday at the Navy base jetty in Warri, Delta State.

    Navy Capt. Solomon Paul, the Executive Officer of the NNS Delta, handed over the vessel and the suspects on behalf of the Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin.

    Addressing newsmen, Commodore Muhsin said that the vessel with the suspects onboard was apprehended for alleged illegal entry into the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.

    “We are here to hand over MFV Lily IV and 15 suspects comprising 14 Nigerians and one Ghanaian.

    “On March 11, 2024, MV Kingston, a private maritime security company vessel belonging to the Ocean Marine Services (OMS) contracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) Nigeria Limited, with the Nigerian Navy personnel onboard intercepted and arrested a Merchant Fishing Vessel, Lily IV. The vessel was consequently taken under custody by the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Escravos for investigation on March 13.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that there was insufficient evidence to prove that MFV Lily IV entered the Maritime Exclusion Zone of the Forcados Oil Terminal Crude Loading Platform.

    “The investigation revealed that two of the crew members were not registered on the vessel’s manifest,” he said.

    Commodore Muhsin warned mariners to desist from violating the maritime laws within the nation’s territorial waterways, stressing that defaulters would be sanctioned accordingly.

    He noted that this was one of the series of actions by the Nigerian Navy aimed at keeping Nigeria waters safe for better navigation and commercial activities.

    The naval boss said that the NNS Delta remained resolute in freeing its Area of Operation from all forms of illegalities which according to him was part of the Navy’s coast guard function towards nation-building.

    Commodore Muhsin, however, thanked all the government agencies and good spirited members of the society who had supported their operations to rid the maritime domain of illegalities.

    Receiving the vessel and the suspects, Mr America, an Assistant Director, Department of Fishery, Ministry of Agriculture, Edo commended the Navy for the good job.

    “I am receiving the vessel and the suspects from the Navy. They have done a good job. The Department of Fishery will take further steps and they may face prosecutions,” America said.

  • Navy destroys 3 illegal refinery sites, wooden boat in Bayelsa

    Navy destroys 3 illegal refinery sites, wooden boat in Bayelsa

    The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base in Brass, Bayelsa, has destroyed three illegal refinery sites, a wooden boat and a total of 160,000 litres of suspected stolen crude oil.

    The operation, a fallout of the recently launched Nigerian Navy Operation DELTA SANITY, is aimed at combating illegal oil theft and bunkering in the Niger-Delta region.

    The Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Base (FORMOSO), Capt. Murtala Aminu Rogo, stated this in an interview with newsmen on Monday.

    Rogo said that the interception of the boat and destruction of the sites followed patrols conducted by its  personnel on Brass River and Akassa general area.

    “During the patrol, two illegal refinery sites with about 85,000 litres of products suspected to be stolen crude oil and a pumping machine were located around Elepa and Abonuwa Brass LGA of Bayelsa respectively.

    “While combing other adjoining creeks, the team located the third illegal refinery site and a large wooden boat laden with about 75,000 litres of product suspected to be stolen crude oil, around Tuluama, Brass LGA.

    “Accordingly, the three illegal refinery sites and one large wooden boat were handled appropriately,” he said.

    Rogo said that further investigations into the criminal networks connected with the illegal refining sites was ongoing.

    The Commanding Officer said that the success of the operation marks a significant step in actualizing the objectives of Operation DELTA SANITY.

    He appealed to the public to cooperate with the Nigerian Navy by providing relevant information that would aid in the ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks.

    Rogo said that Operation DELTA SANITY, led by Rear Adm. S. J. Bura the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, was resolutely committed to tackling crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other criminal activities within Nigerian waters.

    “The Nigeran Navy, under the leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), is committed to maintaining the security and safety of the Nigerian maritime domain,” he said.

    Rogo said that the Navy would continue to  facilitate a conducive environment for legitimate businesses to flourish and contribute to the nation’s economic progress.

  • Nigerian, Cameroonian navies intercept vessel laden with 30,000 litres of stolen crude

    Nigerian, Cameroonian navies intercept vessel laden with 30,000 litres of stolen crude

    Suspected crude oil thieves arrested by the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with the Cameroonian Navy.

    A joint operation by the Nigerian Navy and the Cameroonian Navy has led to the interception of a vessel laden with 30,000 litres of crude oil suspected to have been stolen from Nigeria.

    Commodore Rotimi Oderemi, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship, NNS Victory, said this on Saturday at the inspection of the vessel at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

    Oderemi told newsmen that the vessel, MV Jasmine, was spotted within Nigerian territorial waters following credible intelligence and collaboration with the Eastern Naval Command Centre,

    He explained that a Nigerian Navy patrol boat, NNS Ekulu was detailed to intercept the suspected vessel and interrogate the crew.

    “Upon noticing NNS Ekulu, the suspected vessel proceeded to the international waters between Nigeria and Cameroon, just as NNS Ekulu was in its hot pursuit.

    “Resulting from our collaboration and with the support of the Cameroonian Navy, the vessel was intercepted and brought to Ibaka with eight Nigerians on board.

    “Thirty thousand litres of crude oil is a huge volume. It can fetch N40 million at the international crude oil market,’’ he said.

    Oderemi said the interception of the vessel and the arrest of its crew members should serve as warning to intending criminals in Nigeria’s waters that the Navy was prepared to foil their activities.

    In his remarks, captain of the intercepted vessel, Mr Pere-Ebiye Abraham, claimed its ownership and said he went into illegal bunkering because of hardship.

    He said he used to use the vessel to ferry planks from Nembe Waterside in Rivers but the business dwindled and he had to switch to illegal bunkering.

    “I started this business this year and this is the second time I am moving crude of about 30,000 litres and was arrested by the Navy.

    “I got the crude oil around Babangida Platform on the high sea and I was moving it to our illegal refinery in creeks when I was intercepted,’’ he said.

     

  • How Navy saved Nigeria over 91 thousand barrels of crude in 2023

    How Navy saved Nigeria over 91 thousand barrels of crude in 2023

    A former Commandant of the Navy War College, Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir (rtd.), says the Nigerian Navy’s onslaught against oil thieves saved the nation 91,725.26 barrels of crude oil in 2023.

    Bashir made the disclosure in a paper he presented at the inauguration of the Naval Warfare Course 8 in Calabar on Monday.

    He spoke on the topic, “Operational Level Warfare: Imperatives for Training and Command in the Nigerian Navy”.

    He said that this was against 889,890 barrels that were saved from thieves between January and December 2022.

    According to Bashir, the economic saboteurs were also denied 513,350 litres of Kerosene in 2023 alone.

    He further said that 351 illegal refining sites, 630 storage tanks and 315 wooden boats were deactivated within the same period.

    He said that 78 suspects, 35 vessels and 13 trucks were arrested between January and December 2023.

    While commending the Navy for the feat, he said that more action was needed to reduce the activities of oil thieves to the barest level.

    “The aforementioned achievements and others were possible because most operational level commanders displayed sterling personal qualities, such as diligence, commitment, courage, knowledge, foresight, ability to take risks, ability to delegate authority and respect for subordinates, among others,” he said.

    Bashir also commended the Navy for delisting the country from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) list of High Risk Countries.

    “For so many years, Nigeria’s Maritime area was plagued by piracy with the area regarded as a High Risk Area, alongside the gulf of Aden and other notorious areas by the IMO.

    “It is noteworthy to say that the Flag Officer Commanding of the operational commands doubled his efforts by being proactive.

    “They invested more in intelligence and collaborating with other stakeholders, which led to the coordinated and sustained operations in their individual area of responsibilities with occasional overlaps.

    “Many of the pirates were arrested ashore, either while planning their operations or when they returned after operations,” he said.

    Bashir called for the optimisation of the operational level of Naval Warfare Training for the service to produce professional officers that would adequately translate strategic directives into precise tactical actions.

    “The officers will also be apolitical and more responsive to national security priorities.

    “They will be more efficient in the alignment and use of resources, uphold the law and respect human rights, thereby earning public trust, respect and confidence,” Bashir said.

  • Navy hands over seized Indian hemp worth N120m to NDLEA

    Navy hands over seized Indian hemp worth N120m to NDLEA

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT handed over more than 60 bags of seized Indian hemp with estimated street value of N120 million to the NDLEA on Monday in Lagos.

    The Indian hemp weighed more than 2.5 tons.

    Commander of the ship, Commodore Kolawole Oguntuga handed over the Indian hemp to the Deputy Commander Narcotics, at the NDLEA Lagos command, Mr Austin Opiepe.

    Oguntuga said the exercise was a further testimony to interagency collaboration in the continued fight against illegalities in the maritime environment.

    “The Navy has deployed a lot of assets, including electro-optical devices, which have improved round-the-clock survey of Nigeria’s maritime domain.

    “The devices enabled the Navy to detect a large wooden boat carrying the narcotics at Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

    “We are handing over these items to the appropriate agency in charge of narcotics which is the NDLEA,’’ Oguntuga said.

    He assured the public that the Nigerian Navy in collaboration with appropriate agencies would not leave any stone unturned to ensure a maritime environment conducive for businesses to thrive.

    “We will keep going after these unscrupulous people perpetrating illegalities and bring them to book.

    “We will continue to work assiduously to rid the maritime environment of illegalities because we understand the nexus between drug abuse, criminality and violence,’’ the commander said.

    Responding, Opiepe noted that the NDLEA and the Nigerian Navy had a cordial working relationship which had led to the seizure of many bags of Indian hemp and other illicit drugs in the past.

    He assured that the NDLEA would destroy the Indian hemp after obtaining court approvals.

  • Nigerian Navy reacts to involvement in oil theft

    Nigerian Navy reacts to involvement in oil theft

    The Nigeria Navy Headquarters, has debunked allegations in a publication that Navy personnel aboard Motor Tanker (MT) PRAISEL were aiding oil theft.

    The Navy’s Director of Information, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, said on Friday that the personnel only escorted the vessel for thorough investigation of its contents.

    Ayo-Vaughan said that MT PRAISEL is owned by a private security outfit, Tantita Security Service Limited (TSSL).

    He said TSSL was duly approved by Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to load 1,114,721 Litres of High Pour Fuel Oil (HPFO) from Greenmac Energy Storage/Tarus Jetty Koko from  July 26 to Aug. 8.

    This, he said, had been substantiated by NMDPRA.

    According to him, in line with Standard Operating Procedure and strict compliance with the NMDPRA approval, navy personnel were deployed on-board to monitor the discharge of the product by MT PRAISEL at a facility in Bonny.

    “However, on Aug. 2, TSSL claiming to act on intelligence alleged that the vessel was laden with stolen crude oil and thereafter approached an element of Operation DELTA SAFE to board the vessel in order to verify the alleged stolen product.

    “Accordingly, the NN directed the vessel to Forward Operating Base ESCRAVOS anchorage for further investigation of the product on-board.

    “The samples of the product on-board MT PRAISEL were collected on Thursday August 3, 2023 by five agencies including Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPCL), NMDPRA and also TSSL in line with laid procedures for laboratory test and verification of the claim.

    “As the lead agency in the fight against maritime crimes, the NN has always been at the vanguard of supporting every single effort to halt economic saboteurs of our country,” he said.

    The Naval Spokesman said that while it was desirable for all hands to be on deck in the fight against crude oil theft, necessary precaution must be adhered to by all stakeholders.

    This he said was to avoid unnecessary impediment to legitimate commercial activities and businesses in the maritime environment that have far reaching consequences for the nation’s economy.

    He appealed to the general public to await the laboratory test result of the product and in-depth investigations on the allegation.

    According to him, the Nigerian navy under the able leadership of Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, is poised to ensure transparency, interagency cooperation and synergy in the fight against illegalities and criminality in Nigeria’s maritime environment.

  • Nigerian Navy redeploys, appoints senior officers

    Nigerian Navy redeploys, appoints senior officers

    The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, has approved appointments of senior officers comprising Rear Admirals and Commodores as part of the routine reorganisation in the service.

    The Director of Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the new appointments resulted from the promotion of 128 senior officers in December 2022, mainly 52 rear admirals and 76 commodores.

    He said the new appointments saw Rear Adm. Garba Abubakar being reappointed as the Nigerian Navy Delegate to the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

    Meanwhile, Rear Adm. Akano Adesope, was moved from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru and appointed as the Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordinance Depot.

    Similarly, former Director of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Kennedy Egbuchulam, was appointed as the pioneer Chief of Communications and Information Technology.

    Former Chief of Defence Space Administration, Rear Adm. Nnamdi Muogilim, moves to Defence Headquarters as the Executive Director Operations, Navy Holdings Limited.

    Ayo-Vaughan said the erstwhile Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, WEY, Rear Adm. Adewale Olanrewaju, would to take over as the Director of Standards, Naval Headquarters.

    The former Deputy Director Communication Intelligence at Defence Intelligence Agency, Rear Adm. Fatah Sanusi takes over as Executive Director, Administration, Human Resource & Personnel Management at the Navy Holdings Ltd.

    “Rear Adm. Nuhu Bala, the former Director of Transformation, Defence Headquarters has been reappointed as the Deputy Chief of Defence Space Administration.

    Rear Adm. Danjuma Moses, former Director of Training, DHQ takes over as the Deputy Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

    “The routine reshuffling of the senior naval officers also affected Rear Adm. Vincent Okeke, former Director of Logistics, DHQ who has been reappointed as Director of Plans, DHQ and Rear Adm. Yakubu Wambai, the erstwhile Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command moves to DHQ as the Director of Transformation.

    “The former Director Veterans Affairs, Naval Headquarters, Rear Adm. Ismaila Zelani has been appointed as Director of Administration at Naval Headquarters.

    “Rear Adm. Emmanuel Beckley, the erstwhile Admiral Superintendent Naval Ordnance Depot moves to Headquarters Defence Intelligence Agency as the Director of Logistics,” he said.

    The naval spokesman further said Rear Adm. Domnan Dangwel, had been redeployed from DHQ to Naval Headquarters as the Director Special Projects, while Rear Adm. Tanko Pani, would remain in DHQ and appointed as Director of Training.

    He said while the former Deputy Director Earth Observation at DSA, Rear Adm. Hamisu Sadiq, moved to NHQ as Director of Safety, Rear Adm. Olusanya Bankole would take over as the Director of Communications at NHQ.

    According to him, the immediate past Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Adm. Ibrahim Dewu takes over as the Director of Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate.

    “Rear Adm. Kennedy Ezete, moves to DHQ as Director, Project Monitoring while Rear Adm. Noel Madugu, formerly Deputy Director Special Operation Forces, DHQ has been appointed Director of Logistics.

    “The erstwhile Director of Logistics, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, Rear Adm. Daupreye Matthew, is to resume as the Director, Innovation and Concept Development, NHQ.

    “While Rear Adm. Emmanuel Nmoyem, was appointed as the Director, Human Rights Desk, DHQ while Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shettima, formerly Chief of Logistics, NHQ takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.

    “The former Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, Rear Adm. Monday Unurhiere is now the Director of Plans, NHQ while Rear Adm. Hamza Kaoje has been moved from Headquarters Western Naval Command to DHQ as Director of Equipment Standardisation and Harmonisation.

    “Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, formerly Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command resumes as the Director of Operations, NHQ,” he added.

    Ayo-Vaughan also said Rear Adm. Clement Atebi, had been moved from the Central Naval Command to NHQ as Director of Audit, while Rear Adm. Samson Bura, formerly Fleet Commander, Western Fleet, had been moved to DHQ as Director Search and Rescue.

    He said Rear Adm. Oluwole Fadeyi, had been moved from Eastern Naval Command and appointed as Director Record, Returns and Analysis at NHQ while Rear Adm. Olusola Oluwagbire, takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Naval Command.

    According to him, the erstwhile Deputy Commandant, AFCSC, Jaji Rear Adm. Mustapha Hassan, is now the Director of Policy, NHQ while Rear Adm. Bashir Mohammed, becomes the Chief of Logistics (Navy) and Rear Adm. Julius Nwagu become the Director Campaign Planning at NHQ.

    He added that Rear Adm. Patrick Nwatu, takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command, while Rear Adm. Mike Oamen is now the Director Veterans Affairs, NHQ, while Rear Adm. James Okosun, takes over as the Commandant Nigerian Naval Engineering College, Sapele.

    Rear Admiral Suleiman Abdullahi has been reappointed as the Managing Director Admiralty Exchange Ltd., Navy Holdings Ltd., while Rear Admiral Kasimu Bushi has been reappointed as the Chief of Accounts and Budget, Naval Headquarters.

    “Furthermore, Rear Adm. Joseph Akpan, takes over as the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command; Rear Adm. Ibrahim Shehu, appointed Director of Marine Engineering, NHQ and Rear Adm. Abdullahi Ahmed, moves to NHQ as Director, Recruitment, Reserve and Resettlement.

    “Rear Adm. Fredrick Damtong has been reappointed Director Weapon Electrical; Rear Adm. Abdul-rasheed Haruna, the immediate past Commander, NNS BEECROFT is now the Chief Staff Officer, Eastern Naval Command while Rear Adm. John Mamman, has been appointed Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Western Naval Command.

    “The immediate past Commander, Naval Base Lake Chad, Rear Adm. John Okeke is to take over as the Chief Staff Officer, Headquarters Central Naval Command while Rear Adm. Olatunde Olodude moves from the National Defence College, Abuja to take over as the Fleet Commander, Western Fleet.

    “Rear Adm. Chijioke Onyemaobi has been reappointed as the Director Ships Spares, NHQ.

    “Other senior officers affected by the new appointments are Rear Adm. Sunday Atakpa, former Commander, NNS SOROH, who has been appointed the Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command and Rear Adm. Abdul-hamid Baba-Inna, former Commander NNS DELTA who was appointed Director, Legal Services, NHQ.

    “Rear Adm. Patrick Effah has been reappointed, Director, Maritime Domain Awareness, NHQ.

    “Rear Adm. Chidozie Okehie has been reappointed Director Personnel Release and Rear Adm. Olusegun Soyemi, appointed as Director, Monitoring and Evaluation Analysis.

    “Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele has been reappointed as the Commandant, Defence Intelligence College, Karu,” he added.